Comments on: World Cup 2018 Candidates: 1. The Benelux Countries

By: Pitch Invasion · World Cup 2018 Candidates: 2. China

Pitch Invasion · World Cup 2018 Candidates: 2. China — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:02:58 +0000

[...] Editor’s note: China. The elephant in the room when it comes to the 2018 World Cup. Knowing he was recently in China, I asked my blogging friend from Gramsci’s Kingdom to give an overview of their bid, in the second of our series on the World Cup 2018 candidates (see part one on the Benelux countries here). [...]

By: The Benelux Countries on Pitchinvasion.net » 2018 England

The Benelux Countries on Pitchinvasion.net » 2018 England — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:00:57 +0000

[...] written and visually stunning blog Pitch Invasion have started to take a look at the 2018 World Cup bid candidates in what will be the start of a [...]

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:23:11 +0000

Oh, come on, I think it’s nice that Luxembourg get to be included. It’s like taking your little sister to the movies. When are they ever going to be able to do something like this on their own?

Chris – the President of Brazil has said that Brazil will need to build TWELVE new stadiums before the 2014 World Cup. I don’t know whether that will really happen either, but if it’s even feasible for Brazil to build twelve stadiums in seven years I don’t see why the Benelux countries couldn’t manage seven or eight in eleven years.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:51:46 +0000

Jan –

If Belgium broke up, it would be quite different to any other country breaking up before in history, as the newly partitioned states would still all be part of the European Union. This would make it much less traumatic, as people would still have many of the same rights in each country as they do now. There would never be a civil war, but a peaceful break up would be an easier process than in most other places.

But yeah, Brussels would still be an issue and I don’t think a break-up is necessarily likely: on the other hand, I thought it was worth mentioning as it can’t be ruled out entirely.

Chris -

I’m not really sure why Luxembourg are involved, but apparently they would hold a “FIFA congress” or something.

I think you’re spot on that the stadia is the biggest issue for this bid, though I suppose that each country has a few 30,000 capacity grounds that could perhaps be upgraded to 40,000, which would cost less than building new ones.

By: Chris O

Chris O — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:17:14 +0000

Been looking forward to reading this and it didn’t disappoint!

I wouldn’t mind seeing a joint bid between the Netherlands and Belgium (why are we even mentioning Luxembourg?) but to my mind they need to build about 7 or 8 new stadia of 40,000+ capacity between them in order to do it. Is that likely to happen? I think not…

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:34:27 +0000

“You don’t think the political crisis in Belgium is really serious, Jan?”

The problem is Brussels. Belgium isn’t just Flanders and Wallonia, it is Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels region. It’s like the thing with West Germany, East Germany and Berlin in the middle. But that only worked because of the cold war. So without a major civil war or anything, I can’t see that Belgium is in real danger.

BTW: a Wallonian TV station staged a news cast in which reporters claim Flanders has declared independence and that Belgique n’existe plus.:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMABBfgy40

By: Daily Dose: 27.11.07 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:00:27 +0000

[...] An in-depth look at WC 2018 potential hosts. Part 1: Benelux. (Pitch Invasion) [...]

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:57:20 +0000

That’s a good spot about Canada, Davyd. I think I’ve seen them mentioned in such a list somewhere before too, but the Canadians I’ve spoken to about hosting the World Cup think there’s no way they could bid successfully.

By: Davyd Trunyov

Davyd Trunyov — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:30:34 +0000

“It means England, Russia, Australia, Holland and Belgium (jointly), China, Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico and now Spain/Portugal have either said they will be bidding for 2018 or are considering doing so.” I can’t remember Canada saying they will be bidding for 2018 or are considering doing so and i can’t see us getting ready anytime soon. I wounder if this guy are getting payed for every word, so they just putting every country in the mix.

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:30:05 +0000

“Iberia, what?” Interesting, Adam. There are far too many European contenders right now; its going to be a battle royale just whittling them down.

Davyd, stick around for the rest of the series as we’ll look at England and the other candidates too.